Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 3 Western Australia, Series 3
Volume 2
Number 2 March-April, 1953 Article 12
3-1953
Wheat variety trials on research stations, 1952 Wheat variety trials on research stations, 1952
I Thomas
Department of Agriculture J Reeves
Department of Agriculture
Follow this and additional works at: https://researchlibrary.agric.wa.gov.au/journal_agriculture3 Part of the Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons
Recommended Citation Recommended Citation
Thomas, I and Reeves, J (1953) "Wheat variety trials on research stations, 1952," Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 3: Vol. 2: No. 2, Article 12.
Available at: https://researchlibrary.agric.wa.gov.au/journal_agriculture3/vol2/iss2/12
This article is brought to you for free and open access by the Agriculture at Digital Library. It has been accepted for inclusion in Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 3 by an authorized administrator of Digital Library. For more information, please contact [email protected].
»^^^«
WHEAT VARIETY TRIALS ON RESEARCH STATIONS, 1952
By I. THOMAS, Superintendent of Wheat Farming and J. REEVES, Agricultural Adviser
T
O test the suitability under local conditions of the newer wheat varieties, whether bred in this State or introduced from the Eastern States, variety trials are conducted each year on five wheatbelt research stations. The results of these trials indicate the varieties most suitable to the various areas of the wheatbelt and serve as a guide to the farmer in the choice of the most suitable varieties to grow.The development by t h e plant breed- er of wheat varieties suited to Western Australian conditions is playing an important role in the present pros- perity and current development of the wheatbelt. Such varieties as Bungulla and Bencubbin, with their high yields and drought resistance, have already greatly helped t h e farmer. Today, with increasing acreages being laid down to subterranean clover, also with cultiva- tion of large areas of newly cleared
"light" land, the requirements are for
varieties more adapted to present con- ditions.
For the so-called "light lands", both straw strength and high flour quality are important, while for clover-ley areas straw strength is again a major consideration.
SEASONAL CONDITIONS AT RESEARCH STATIONS
The rainfall figures for each of the five stations are summarised in Table No. 1:
TABLE 1.
Rainfall at Research Stations, 1952-53 Season.
Avondale, 1952 Average, 26 years Chapman, 1952
Average, 47 years Merredin, 1952
Average, 42 years Salmon Gums, 1952 Average, 27 years Wongan Hills, 1952 Average, 27 years
Growing Period Rainfall.
May.
243 209 224 229 139 134 79 130 229 180
June.
242 325 196 414 70 187 89 149 139 259
July.
372 299 323 389 204 182 142 144 264 261
Aug.
130 224 98 259 44 148 23 142 94 198
Sept.
132 104 114 143 88 79 102 102 127 92
Oct.
102 78
Total.
1,221 1,239 67 1 1,023 87 1,523 102
73 185 115 99 70
647 803 620 783 952 1,060
Annual Total.
1,466 1,564 1,144 1,787 914 1,167 1,227 1,339 1,072 1,396 201
Journal of agriculture Vol. 2 1953
LOOKfor thisSIGN!
The I H Symbol on your International Harvester Dealer's premises identifies local headquarters for International Harvester products. It stands for an organization with over 120 years' experience of manufacturing pro- ducts which now bear the name McCormick International.
Your I H Dealer is a farm equipment specialist ready to help and advise vou He knows the crops you grow, your soil and climatic conditions, the farming methods you prefer. H e is ready to discuss your problems and demonstrate on your farm.
Your I H Dealer maintains a modern, systematic parts department where you can buy Genuine I. H. Parts. You'll find him ready to supply you with any part in the shortest possible time.
Your I H Dealer has an experienced team of servicemen available for emergency service in the field or major overhauls in his well equipped service shop. Regular inspections will keep your equipment in first class operating condition.
T o ensure you buy only the best farm equipment and get the best after sales service, see your local International Harvester Dealer, the man behind the I. H. Sign - the symbol of quality and service.
INTERNATIONAL HARVESTER COMPANY OF AUSTRALIA PTY. LTD.
(INCORPORATED I N V I C T O R I A )
District Sales Offices in all Capital Cities. Works: Dandenong and Geelong, Victoria.
I N T E R N A T I O N A L A R V E S T E R
McCormick tntarnatiotM*
t r a d e r * and Firm Equipmont International Trucks Dafandar Rafrigaraiors Intarnatianal Industrial P«wa#
Builder of Essential Equipment for Essential Work.
Please mention the "Journal of Agriculture, W.A.," when writing to advertisers
Journal of agriculture Vol. 2 1953
GL337-24
As for several years now, the trials at Avondale, Chapman a n d Wongan Hills were planted on clover-ley land which was prepared for planting immediately prior to seeding. At the other-stations plots were planted on land which h a d been fallowed. Conditions at the indi- vidual stations are briefly outlined be- low:—
Avondale—Planting was carried out under favourable conditions. Growing conditions were good and finishing rains in October resulted in above- average crops. Some damage was done at maturity by stormy conditions and high winds.
Chapman—Opening rains were good, enabling planting to be carried out under suitable conditions; however the following rains were infrequent and coupled with high winds caused below- average yields.
Merredin—Normal May rainfall e n - abled planting to be carried out satis- factorily, but lack of J u n e rains resulted in an uneven germination with a final germination occurring with good soak- ing rains in July. Rainfall continued below average and beneficial falls in the second week of October came too late to be of much benefit to the m a t u r - ing crops; consequently, yields were be- low normal.
Salmon Gums—Below average falls occurred in May; these were insufficient for good germination. Cold weather and lack of rain further retarded crops so t h a t good finishing rains in October and November could not fully benefit the crops and yields were low.
Wongan Hills—Planting conditions were reasonably satisfactory but lack of further good rains adversely affected germination and subsequent growth.
The rains of mid-October enabled the crops to m a t u r e and yield reasonably satisfactorily.
DISEASE RESISTANCE
During the last season, no major changes occurred in this State in r e - spect to flag smut or stem rust.
Flag Smut—All varieties under test on the research stations, with the ex- ception of Gabo and the new crossbred M.108, are resistant to this disease.
Stem Rust—The efforts of plant breeders have received set-backs on a t least two occasions by the appearance of new rust races soon after the wide- spread cultivation of rust-resistant varieties. With the general cultivation of Eureka in New South Wales, there appeared rust race 126B attacking it.
Similarly the 1948 complex of races a p - peared after the introduction of the varieties Yalta, Kendee, Gabo and Charter, which until then h a d been r e - garded as rust-resistant.
In Western Australia, the Eureka and Wongoondy attacking race (race 126B) has been isolated from collections ex- tending over several years, so t h a t these two varieties are now liable to be attacked in any future epidemic, al- though to date race 126B has only been isolated from other t h a n these two varieties. The complex of races first discovered in N.S.W. in 1948 h a s a p p a r - ently not yet arrived in this State and varieties attacked by these races, such as Gabo, Yalta, Bencubbin 48, Javelin 48 and Insignia 49, can still be regard- ed as resistant here.
In addition, the varieties Dowerin, Festival, Warigo, P a n t h e r and the new crossbreds M.107, M.108, M.109 and M.112 are resistant to all stem rust races known to be present in Australia.
Although stem rust epidemics are in- frequent in this State, the growing of rust resistant varieties in a year of bad rust infection may mean the difference between normal yields and total crop failure.
FLOUR STRENGTH
The plant breeder today is vitally concerned with the flour quality (bak- ing strength) of his selections. The result has been, in most cases, an im- provement in this characteristic and the relatively newer, better quality varieties such as Eureka, Wongoondy, Kondut and Gabo are now being grown
Journal of agriculture Vol. 2 1953
GET THOSE
EXTRA THREE BUSHELLS
Kfivy^Rgys
THE AMINE SALT OF
2,4-D
2 , 4 DICHLORPHENOXY ACETIC ACID 50%WA
WEEDICIDE
&&£$MiM fORCONTROL OF WEEDS IN
^ ^ ^ ^ ^ C ^ C E R E A I A H D KINDRED CROPS
J N T
Aerial S ervices
What's your measure as +\
a farmer
Yes, we ask you—what's YOUR measure as a farmer? Maxi- mum crop yields or are you losing those three extra bushels per acre? The Amine Salt of 2,4-D Weedicide and David Grays Aerial Services are help- ing farmers all over the State to increase their income . . .
so why not you.
• B O O K
# D A V I D GRAYS
• AERIAL
# SPRAYING
• SERVICE
• N O W
David Grays Aerial Spraying and Dusting Service is the soundest proposition ever offer- ed to the "man on the land".
Noxious weeds and ravaging insects cost farmers yearly, thousands of pounds in crop damage and pasturage de- terioration. Don't you be cheated out of income . . . let David Grays work with you.
THE AMINE SALT OF 2, 4-D EFFECTIVELY
ERADICATES—
• Cape Tulip • Double Gee
• W i l d Radish • Cape weed
• W i l d Turnip • Dandelion
DAVID GRAY AND COMPANY, LIMITED
10 RAILWAY PARADE, WEST PERTH - BA2266
Please mention the "Journal of Agriculture, W.A.," when writing to advertisers
Journal of agriculture Vol. 2 1953
on an increasing proportion of the wheatbelt. In this State, these and other varieties of medium strong and strong flour quality in 1946 were sown on 4% of the total area grown to wheat, in 1949 10% while in 1951 they-had in- creased to 22%.
However, the flour quality of any variety, whether normally classed as weak or strong, is considerably influ- enced by soil and climatic conditions.
The climate is not yet under man's con- trol, but soil conditions are, and the farmer can considerably influence his soil fertility by his rotational practices and by the growing of suitable legumes, particularly subterranean clover. It cannot be too strongly stressed t h a t varieties can only express their inher- ent quality to the fullest when grown under suitable climatic and soil condi- tions.
In .Table 2 are tabulated the major characteristics of wheat varieties under trial, including their flour quality and disease resistance.
DISCUSSION OF RESULTS For the convenience of discussion, it is usual for the cereal growing areas to be divided into three major zones a c - cording to rainfall. Zone 1 covers dis- tricts with less t h a n 14in. rainfall, Zone 2 those recording 14in. to 18in., and Zone 3 those with over 18in.
In Zone 1 are located the Merredin and Salmon Gums Research Stations and experimental evidence from these two stations can be applied to the low rainfall areas of the eastern wheatbelt and to the more limited areas of the southern mallee, respectively.
Wongan Hills, although in Zone 2, is close to the boundary of Zone 1, and is
TABLE 2.
Tabulated Characteristics of Varieties under Trial.
Variety.
Bungulla Bencubbin ....
Kondut Dowerin Wongoondy ....
Eureka Gabc ....
Benuobbin 48 Javelin 48 ....
Insignia 49 ....
Insignia Yalta Warigo Panther Festival M. 107 M. 108 M. 109 M. 112
Produced by. Maturity.
of W.A. Dept.
Agriculture do. do.
do. do.
do. . do.
do. do.
N.S.W. Dept. of Agriculture Sydney University Waite Research
Institute
do. do.
do. do.
Victorian Dept. of Agriculture N.S.W. Dept. of
Agriculture Waite Research
Institute
do. do.
N.S.W. Dept. of Agriculture W.A. Dept. of
Agriculture do. do.
Flag Smut Resistance.
Stem Rust
Resistance. Grain Quality.
do.
do.
do.
do.
Very early Midseason Late midseason Early midseason Early
Midseason Early Midseason
do.
Early do.
Midseason do.
Late midseason Early midseason
do. do.
do. do.
do. do.
Midseason
Highly resistant do. do.
Resistant do.
Highly resistant Resistant Susceptible Resistant
do.
do.
do.
Highly resistant do. do.
Resistant do.
do.
Moderately sus- ceptible Highly resistant
do. do.
Susceptible do.
do.
Resistant Now liable in W.A.
do. do.
Resistant in W.A.
do. do.
do. do.
do. do.
Susceptible Resistant in W.A.
Resistant do.
do.
do.
do.
do.
do.
State f.a.q.
do.
Medium strong Above State f.a.q.
Approaching pre mium strong
do. do.
do. do.
State f.a.q.
Medium strong State f.a.q.
do.
Premium strong Medium strong Medium strong to
premium strong.
Premium strong Above State f.a.q.
Medium strong do. do.
Premium strong 205
Journal of agriculture Vol. 2 1953
VWETHOXONE' 30 liquid Hormone Weed Killer
MIWOXOM 30'
Since using "Methoxone"
30 I have saved -
£££i
Its concentrated
strength means saving in manpower -
n
Freight bills are now reduced by two-thirds
« &<?
All this means a big saving in time, money and labour and provides greater profits -
S A F E A N D E C O N O M I C A L
METHOXONE' 30 W I P E S O U T -
6 BATHURST BURR # M I N T W E E D # H O R E H O U N D
# WEIRVINE ft WILD RADISH, ETC.
W.A. Distributors:
ELDER, SMITH & C O . , LIMITED, 1 1 3 S t . G e o r g e ' s T e r r a c e , P e r t h
DEPENDABLE PLANT ( M } PROTECTION PRODUCTS
IMPERIAL C H E M I C A L I N D U S T R I E S OF AUSTRALIA & N E W Z E A L A N D LIMITED
P l e a s e m e n t i o n t h e "Journal of Agriculture, W . A . , " w h e n w r i t i n g t o advertisers
Journal of agriculture Vol. 2 1953
• <
o
K
O
o o -
• J
- 9
i
pa
0 O
>
fl
P
^ I ;!:§S§f.Seo r- i-i t-~ I H eo t-H t» i i O i o i s m m t o
II
vp O :0> : » :oO• O m » . ©
§g£g
II
CO T-H O OS O I- H i H I--
«!A«r-«
o r-io ift oeo
M?C«>JO:
W O M N H C O H TH oboes c o o t -
II
* 8SSg§§2§CM oO eo co so c» r
aoosooeo
W t - CM t»t—
O 3 1 H N H Q 0 rH ^4 O -H -Hf»
• * 00 CO © t - 0 1 o>
m o co t> eo so •**
5 S * = » « > »
|
f l
• 3
III
I I
Hi
5 5 «5 Sg
Josa'as
.3-1.3
aii it,
§ (5
^ I | 5 S
207
Journal of agriculture Vol. 2 1953
It is more Business-like to pav by Cheque
B» - i i aa ii . i i I, ,|_ ^
"Young" businvssmvn too. shouhl IIIII/
bif ehvquv . . . .
Any young man can operate a Cheque Account and enjoy the advantages and prestige that go with it. It enables an accurate record to be kept of income and expenditure, makes it easier and quicker to pay bills, and greatly reduces the risk of loss or theft.
Any branch of the "R. & I." will gladly explain the simple procedure to you.
Open a Cheque Account w i t h . . .
X(/J/ww
It/etMn Ju&Ua/uut
RURAL 6- INDUSTRIES BANK OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA
HEAD OFFICE: 555-573 Hay Street, PERTH.
Branches at 6 Forrest Place, Perth; 14 Market Street, Fremantle and in leading country towns throughout Western Australia
Please mention the "Journal o( Agriculture, W.A.." when writing to advertisers
Journal of agriculture Vol. 2 1953
typical of large areas of light h e a t h plain occurring in many areas of the State. Also in Zone 2 are the Chapman and Avondale Research Stations, t h e former being situated on the northern edges of the wheatbelt, and the latter being typical of the west central a n d upper great southern districts.
The yielding ability of varieties under trial are summarised in Table 3. In the midseason and late m a t u r i n g varieties, Bencubbin is used for the control, while the standard for early m a t u r i n g vari- eties is Bungulla.
MIDSEASON AND LATE MATURING VARIETIES
Two new varieties, Javelin 48 a n d Panther, were tested for the first time.
Both varieties a t Avondale, and Javelin 48 only at Merredin, gave yields equal to the control variety, Bencubbin; else- where the yields were somewhat disap- pointing. They will, however, be tested again in 1953.
Except at Chapman, where its yields were low, the results of two seasons' trials have shown t h a t the rust- resistant Bencubbin 48 is capable of yielding as well as Bencubbin itself.
Apart from rust-resistance, it is almost identical with Bencubbin, and it can therefore be recommended in rust- liable areas in place of Bencubbin.
The variety Warigo continues to be rather disappointing in yield and in this respect appears to be an unsuitable variety except perhaps in the western areas of the wheatbelt; the yield a t Avondale only being the same as t h a t of the control variety.
Both Kondut and Eureka have again yielded exceptionally well a t Avondale and Chapman, the yields of Eureka sig- nificantly exceeding those of Bencubbin at the two stations, while Kondut out- yielded the control at Chapman. This indicates the suitability of these two varieties in the higher rainfall areas of Zone 2. Although none of the r e - search stations is situated in Zone 3, it is considered t h a t these two varieties
would' be more suitable for early plant- ing in this zone t h a n other midseason varieties.
EARLY MATURING VARIETIES For the first time, Insignia and the rust-resistant Insignia 49 were grown together. At the three stations, Avon- dale, Merredin and Salmon Gums, their yields were identical, whereas a t both Chapman and Wongan Hills Insignia outyielded Insignia 49.
At Salmon Gums in 1952, Bungulla outyielded Insignia 49, while a t Chap- man, Merredin and Wongan Hills both Insignia and Insignia 49 gave higher yields t h a n the control. At the other centre, Avondale, yields of all three varieties were equal.
Over a two season average, both Insignia and Insignia 49 have either yielded as well as, or better t h a n Bun- gulla; showing t h a t they are capable of high yields under a wide range of soil and climatic conditions. Although no better in flour quality t h a n Bun- gulla, Insignia 49 with its good straw strength, high yield and rust-resistance should prove a useful variety in this State.
At Avondale the three varieties, Dowerin, Gabo and Wongoondy, were outyielded by Bungulla. This is not normal as the progressive average shows t h a t both Wongoondy and Gabo normally outyield Bungulla at this station. The low yields of these three varieties was probably due to a succes- sion of severe frosts in September, which may have caught the three vari- eties at a particularly susceptible stage.
Except for Gabo a t Salmon Gums, both Gabo and Wongoondy at the other stations were either equal to Bungulla or superior to it. As they have desir- able agronomic characters, they can be recommended for all zones of the wheatbelt. Dowerin appears to require better finishing conditions in spring and is therefore only recommended in the better rainfall areas, t h a t is, in Zones 2 and 3.
Journal of agriculture Vol. 2 1953
W . SCHULSTAD
MANUFACTURING ENGINEERS
2 6 Hardy Road, Maylands - - Phone U 3 8 3 2
(NEAR MAYLANDS AERODROME)
COLE MANUFACTURERS OP THE FAMOUS
DENNIS
— MOBILE CIRCULAR —
Power Saws
— (PATENTED) — The only Power Saw t h a t can offer a -330 degree t u r n combined with P a t e n t Height adjust-
ment.
DEMONSTRATIONS DAILY OVER 650 I N USE I N W.A.
ALL ATTACHMENTS AVAILABLE
WE ALSO MANUFACTURE
"CARROL" ACETYLENE WELDING GENERATORS
Can be carried in one h a n d — Uses s t a n d a r d equipment.
TRACTOR EQUIPMENT
Bulldozers, Tree Pushers, Scrub Rollers and Rakes.
Sprockets rebanded. Track links and plates built up.
BULK WHEAT BINS
Any size or design.
TRAILERS AND AXLE ASSEMBLIES
All sizes. 4 x 4 brake drums and wheel studs in stock.
A CORDIAL INVITATION IS EXTENDED TO FARMERS TO VISIT OUR WORKS AND DISCUSS THEIR ENGINEERING PROBLEMS WITH US
Please mention the "Journal of Agriculture, W.A.," when writing to advertisers
Journal of agriculture Vol. 2 1953
TABLE 4.
Recommended Varieties.
Maturity Group.
Zone 1 (Early).
Less than 14in.
Annual Rainfall.
Zone 2 (Midseason).
14in. to 18in.
Annual Rainfall.
Zone 3 (Late).
Over 18in.
Annual Rainfall.
Midseason
Early ....
Very Early
Bencubbin Bencubbin 48
Wongoondy Gabo Bungulla
Kondut Bencubbin Bencubbin 48 Eureka Yalta Wongoondy Gabo Dowerin Bungulla
Kondut Eureka Bencubbin 48 Yalta Bencubbin Wongoondy Gabo Dowerin Bungulla
For Zone 3 also, both Gabo and Won- goondy can be regarded as suitable early-maturing varieties for late p l a n t - ing.
The new rust-resistant variety Festi- val was tested at Chapman for the first time, where its yield was equal to t h a t of the control variety.
As a guide, the recommended vari- eties for each zone have been listed in Table 4.
NEW CROSS-BRED VARIETIES Four new cross-bred varieties devel- oped at the Merredin Research Station were included in large-scale variety trials for the first time. M.107, M.108 and M.109 are the result of selections from a cross between Kenya C.6041 and Eureka 11, while M.112 resulted from a cross between Eureka 11 and M.61 (Sword x Kenya C.6041). The Kenya parent was used for its rust resistance and Eureka principally for flour quality and straw strength.
I n these cross-breds a n endeavour has been made to combine together the important characteristics of strong
straw, disease resistance, high flour quality and high yield. Most of the varieties in popular use today are defi- cient in at least one of these major characteristics.
The results are somewhat variable for at Chapman, three of the cross- breds, M.107, M.108 and M.109, gave higher yields t h a n the Bencubbin con- trol, but were in turn all outyielded by Eureka, one of the varieties they have been designed to replace.
At Merredin and Wongan Hills, r e - spectively, M.109 and M.107 gave yields equal to the control variety; apart from these two instances, yields have been somewhat disappointing. How- ever, the results are for one year's trial only and further trials will be neces- sary before conclusions as to yield are arrived at.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
This opportunity is taken of express- ing thanks to the managers and staff of the research stations for their assistance in conducting the above trials.
211
Journal of agriculture Vol. 2 1953
The Efficient
"HAYTER"
A Rotary Mower
Is the implement you require to renovate your pastures—the ONLY Machine which will SATISFACTORILY DEAL with Bracken—Tussocks—
Kikuyu grass, Guildford grass, etc., as well as being a first class general mower; quickly attached to your tractor and cut a 6ft. swathe at fast speed, or a hand model with its own engine, cutting 2ft. and both equally
effective
Western Motor Company Ltd.
772 Wellington Street, Perth — B 2451-2
Please mention the "Journal of Agriculture, W.A.," when writing to advertisers
Journal of agriculture Vol. 2 1953
